Intel Core i5-8250U vs Intel Core i5-8265U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8250U and Intel Core i5-8265U are two closely matched 15 W mobile processors, both built on Intel's 14 nm process and featuring 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite sharing a core count and thermal envelope, benchmark data reveals a distinct split: the i5-8250U dominates Cinebench rendering workloads, while the i5-8265U counterattacks in several PassMark math and single-thread tests. With an average benchmark score of 8577 for the i5-8250U versus 8568 for the i5-8265U, the overall performance delta is a razor-thin 0.1%, placing both CPUs at the 64th percentile among all processors. The following analysis breaks down where each chip wins, the architectural differences behind those results, and which processor suits specific workloads based strictly on the provided facts.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-8250U is the clear victor in rendering and content-creation benchmarks, which are heavily dependent on sustained multi-core performance. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, the i5-8250U posts scores of 495, 2065, and 4918 respectively, outperforming the i5-8265U's 451, 1882, and 4482 by margins of 9.8%, 9.7%, and 9.7%. This pattern extends to every single-core Cinebench iteration as well: the i5-8250U leads by 9.5% in R15 (69 vs 63), 9.8% in R20 (291 vs 265), and 9.8% in R23 (694 vs 632). For users running CPU-bound rendering tasks, video encoding, or 3D modeling in applications that leverage Cinebench-style workloads, the i5-8250U provides a consistent double-digit percentage advantage.

Conversely, the i5-8265U wins in several PassMark sub-tests that emphasize raw arithmetic throughput and single-thread responsiveness. It leads in floating-point math with a score of 12963 versus 12706 (a 2% advantage) and in integer math with 21560 versus 20885 (a 3.1% edge). The i5-8265U also takes the PassMark single-thread test decisively, scoring 2030 against the i5-8250U's 1886, a 7.1% improvement. Additionally, it edges ahead in the PassMark multithread test (5838 vs 5812, a 0.4% margin). These results suggest the i5-8265U is better suited for spreadsheet calculations, scientific computing with heavy math, or any application that relies on single-core clock speed for interactive responsiveness.

The remaining benchmarks are either ties or marginal wins for the i5-8250U. Data compression (76521 vs 76049, 0.6%), data encryption (1979 vs 1961, 0.9%), extended instructions (4920 vs 4904, 0.3%), and random string sorting (10257 vs 10117, 1.4%) all favor the i5-8250U, while prime number finding and physics scores are identical at 18 and 405 respectively. Overall, the i5-8250U wins 12 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i5-8265U wins only 5, making the i5-8250U the more broadly capable processor across the tested workload suite.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share fundamental characteristics: 4 cores, 8 threads, a 15 W TDP, 64 KB L1 cache per core, 256 KB L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. They also both support DDR4 memory and integrate Intel UHD 620 graphics. However, the underlying architectures differ in ways that explain the benchmark outcomes.

The i5-8250U is based on the Kaby Lake architecture, with the codename Kaby Lake-R, and uses the Intel BGA 1356 socket. Its base clock is 1600 MHz with a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Released on August 20, 2017, it remains in active production. The die size is listed at 123 mm², and it has a part number of SR3LA.

The i5-8265U, by contrast, belongs to the Whiskey Lake architecture (codename Whiskey Lake-U) and uses the Intel BGA 1528 socket. Its base clock is identical at 1600 MHz, but the boost clock is higher at 3.90 GHz — a 500 MHz advantage over the i5-8250U. Released on September 30, 2018, this chip has been marked as end-of-life, and its part number is SRFFXSREJQSREJR. The Whiskey Lake architecture also brings improved memory support: it explicitly lists dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i5-8250U's memory bus and PCIe details are not specified in the data.

The higher boost clock on the i5-8265U directly explains its wins in single-thread and math-oriented PassMark tests. A 3.90 GHz maximum frequency allows for faster per-core execution, which is why the i5-8265U scores 7.1% higher in PassMark single-thread and shows gains in floating-point and integer math. However, the i5-8250U's superior Cinebench scores suggest that its Kaby Lake-R design sustains multi-core performance more effectively, likely due to better power management or thermal behavior under sustained loads, though the provided data does not specify these mechanisms. The process node is the same 14 nm for both, and neither chip supports ECC memory or has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-8250U is the stronger choice for multi-threaded rendering workflows. It leads in all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) for both multi-core and single-core tests, with margins between 9.5% and 9.8%. If a user's primary tasks involve video rendering, 3D animation, or any workload that scales across all 8 threads, the i5-8250U delivers consistently higher performance. Its active production status also suggests ongoing availability, though the i5-8265U is end-of-life.

The Intel Core i5-8265U, however, is preferable for single-threaded and math-intensive applications. Its higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz yields a 7.1% advantage in PassMark single-thread performance and 2-3% gains in floating-point and integer math. For everyday productivity tasks, web browsing, or office applications that rely on single-core speed, the i5-8265U offers snappier responsiveness. The dual-channel memory support with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth is also a documented advantage for memory-bound workloads, though no direct memory benchmarks are provided to quantify its impact.

Given that the i5-8250U wins 12 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks and has a slightly higher average score (8577 vs 8568), it is the more well-rounded processor. The i5-8265U is a niche pick for users prioritizing single-thread speed above all else. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for closing the gaps. The i5-8265U's launch MSRP is $297, though pricing considerations are not analyzed here.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-8250U has an average benchmark score of 8577, while the Intel Core i5-8265U scores 8568. The difference is 0.1%, effectively a tie, with both CPUs sitting at the 64th percentile among all processors.

Q: How much faster is the i5-8250U in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-8250U scores 4918 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 9.7% higher than the i5-8265U's score of 4482.

Q: What explains the i5-8265U's single-thread performance advantage?

A: The i5-8265U has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, compared to the i5-8250U's 3.40 GHz. This 500 MHz higher maximum frequency is reflected in the 7.1% PassMark single-thread score advantage (2030 vs 1886).

Q: Are the two processors on the same socket?

A: No. The i5-8250U uses Intel BGA 1356, while the i5-8265U uses Intel BGA 1528. They are not socket-compatible.

Q: Which CPU wins in integer math and floating-point math?

A: The i5-8265U wins both. It scores 21560 in integer math (3.1% higher than 20885) and 12963 in floating-point math (2% higher than 12706).

Q: Is the i5-8265U still in production?

A: No, the i5-8265U is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-8250U is listed as active production. The i5-8265U was released on September 30, 2018, and the i5-8250U on August 20, 2017.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite is where the i5-8250U establishes its dominance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 495 against 451, a 9.8% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar 9.5% margin (69 vs 63). Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-8250U maintains a 9.7% lead in multi-core (2065 vs 1882) and a 9.8% lead in single-core (291 vs 265). The latest Cinebench R23 results follow the identical pattern: multi-core at 4918 vs 4482 (9.7%) and single-core at 694 vs 632 (9.8%). These consistent margins across three generations of Cinebench indicate that the i5-8250U's advantage is structural, not workload-specific.

The PassMark suite tells a different story, with the i5-8265U claiming the most significant victory in single-thread performance. It scores 2030 in PassMark single-thread (and the duplicate singlethread test), which is 7.1% higher than the i5-8250U's 1886. In floating-point math, the i5-8265U's 12963 beats 12706 by 2%, and in integer math, its 21560 beats 20885 by 3.1%. The i5-8265U also narrowly wins the PassMark multithread test with 5838 versus 5812, a 0.4% margin.

The remaining PassMark tests are won by the i5-8250U with smaller margins. Data compression goes to the i5-8250U at 76521 versus 76049 (0.6%), data encryption at 1979 versus 1961 (0.9%), extended instructions at 4920 versus 4904 (0.3%), and random string sorting at 10257 versus 10117 (1.4%). Two tests are exact ties: find prime numbers scores 18 for both, and physics scores 405 for both. These ties reinforce the overall parity between the two chips, with the i5-8250U's Cinebench victories being the primary differentiator in overall benchmark wins (12 to 5).